By Melinda L. Lucas

With two new teachers hired during a special session earlier this week, all vacancies with Albany ISD are now filled, according to superintendent Jonathan Scott.

Five of the seven AISD trustees met for about 30 minutes on Monday evening, July 1, with the sole purpose of reviewing Scott’s recommendations for the last two spots, which were both at the secondary level.

Names familiar to Albany residents were presented to the board.

By Nolan Davis

There will be no Chamber of Commerce lunch this Friday, July 5, since it’s the day after the Independence Day holiday.

“We will start back with the Chamber lunches when we meet at the Ice House on July 12 at 12:00 noon,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

Other regular Chamber of Commerce meetings will also not be taking place during the month.

“There will not be any merchant or board meetings in July,” said Jones, who explained that the organization traditionally takes those events off the calendar in July.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany water customers should have received a “2018 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report” this week showing that locally treated water meets or exceeds all federal drinking water requirements, and that there were no quality violations during the year 2018.

“They were all good this go-around,” said Albany water manager David Bales. 

The report shows a testing violation from 2017, which was corrected almost a year ago.

Lead and Copper

By Nolan Davis

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is still taking idea submissions for the “Burma Shave” type signs that will be put up along all five of the highways leading into Albany in the future.

“See Jane shop,” “Jack hunt and fish,” “Drive carefully,” “Stop wildlife squish,” “In Albany” was one sign series that was previously put up along the side of the road to welcome visitors into Albany.

The Chamber is planning to put three to six signs up per set.

By Nolan Davis

Glasstire, an online Texas visual arts magazine, recently named the Old Jail Art Center one of the best regional museums in Texas.

“It’s always nice for the museum to be recognized in any way,” said Old Jail Art Center executive director Patrick Kelly.

The article mentioned some of Glasstire’s favorite small town museums across the state of Texas, with the Old Jail Art Center on the list.

Kelly was happy with the free exposure that came with the article.

By Kathy Thomson

Over 30 animals including several dogs, a couple of ponies, a cow, a rabbit, and a guinea pig were entered in the annual Fandangle Pet Parade last week at the Bank Park, and all of the participants went home with a prize and/or a participation treat.

“The parade was very well attended this year,” said parade organizer Sidney Bartee. “We had more entries than we were expecting!”

The exhibitors each took their pet down the sidewalk and past the judges on Friday afternoon, and winners were awarded in each of five divisions.

By Kathy Thomson

Fandangle outfits should have already been returned, and Myra Hise asks anyone that still has a Fandangle-owned costume to turn it in as soon as possible so it can be cleaned and put away for the next show.

“I’m washing them and hanging them up, and that’s all I’m doing right now,” Hise said on Monday. “My clothes line is full.”

Myra also dropped off clothes that needed to go to the dry cleaners, but she said that she has not had time to look at all of the tags yet, to see what items are still out.

Older elementary students, as well as those in junior high and high school, are preparing for several upcoming camps being sponsored by First Baptist Church of Albany.

Pre-teen camp for fifth and sixth graders is set for next week on July 8-12, with several local students heading for Camp Copass in Denton.

The following week, on July 15-19, a large group of Albany youth will be in Glorieta, New Mexico for camp. Those signed up include both junior high and high school age.

By Nolan Davis

The Old Jail Art Center will be hosting four Region 14 teacher workshops during the month of July, with the first one scheduled for Friday, July 12.

All four of the programs will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with breakfast and snacks provided.

Drawings will be held throughout the day as attendees can hope to win things such as books and classroom art supply kits.

Those who attend can also qualify for discounted museum membership at the Educator Level.

By Kathy Thomson

Nine Shackelford County 4-H members are headed to an overnight camp this week, according to the local sponsor. 

“This year’s 4-H Camp is July 11-12 at Buffalo Gap,” said extension agent Michaela Bradford. “Shackelford County 4-Hers will be attending along with 4-H members from Coke, Fisher, Jones, Nolan, and Sterling counties. There will be a total of 99 4-Hers at the camp this year.” 

The camp, designed for 4-Hers between nine and 13 years of age focuses on team building, education, and fun.